Friday, March 26, 2010

RIT upset DU 2-1 the first semi-final regional game in Albany. RIT took a 1-0 lead at about the 5 minute mark of the 1st period. There was no scoring in the 2nd period. RIT got a 2-0 lead on the PP just past the midway point of the 3rd and Joe Colborne of DU cut it in half on the PP with about 5 minutes to go. DU pulled Marc Cheverie with 2 minutes left and DU couldn't get the tying goal.

I can't believe how much wasted talent this team and especially this group of seniors had. So snakebitten. three years in row, a first round exit. This group of senior has consistenly broken my heart for 4 years now. I am looking forward to moving on.

they never could win the big game set aside one Playoff championship. There have been few guys who bled crimson and gold for four year than R & R. Goodbye to them. Even with a a few seniors next year, it's going to be a down year. Goodbye Joe and Patirck. Bring in Bennett and Shore. Let's see what you can do in 2012. Coldn't be any worse than blowing two consecutive years of #1 seeds.

would have liked to see a little more passion, heart and grit in this one. Chevy played only ok, but didn't get a lot of help out front or offensively. Didn't use the body and lacked any muscle in front of RIT's net. Oh well, time to fire Gwoz. He is the problem if he can't get the team fired up for this one (again)! He sucks.

Smug bunch of losers from the git go. Might as well have been recruited by Minnesota. No heart. Now for those good for nothing over aged canadians to get their butts whipped by the smart guys can be the only thing to make this weekend worthwhile.

Sky is falling in Denver it sounds like. Gwoz will not be on the hot seat... He just won the WCHA regular Season. C'mon guys stick with your team. Denver had two rough weekends in a season where they absolutely were the best team in college hockey.

As a Sioux fan I don't know how to feel about this one. I hate DU as a rival, but I hate seeing these eastern teams go deep in the playoffs.

There have been DU fans who haven't been impressed with what Gwoz has done since destroying UND in 2005.

This latest failure is just another addition to the list, in my opinion (and others, surely). This problem of not being fired up for big games is no longer just a minor annoyance. This progam will not win a title anytime soon with this lazy, entitled way of playing as the season comes to the Championships.

This is not to say that Gwoz has to go, something has to change in the way the program is run though.

Gwoz will certainly not be on the hotseat, he's still one of the best coaches in college hockey and put together an unbelievable regular season. Just needs to work on motivating these guys in the tourny. inexcusable but its hockey, it happens

Thats what we need to get back to .... it's nice to have the NHL talent there, but it's obvious they don't play as hard when they have their "family advisors" telling them to think about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Maybe you giys can help me out. I was looking for that checklist that was here a bit ago. I was wondering if "Lose to RIT in first round" came before or after "Piss away another "great" season" I LOVE IT!!!!!

I think the tone for this loss was set during the opening WCHA playoff weekend against Michigan Tech. DU did not blow MTU out of the water the way they should or could have. Follow that up by a forgettable weekend in St. Paul, and I think any DU fan honest with themselves could see something like this being possible...the scoring has not been there for two straight weekends, why would it start now? The loss of Maiani, a key player 5-on-5 and on the PP and PK, certainly didn't help either.

I think losses like this and the Holy Cross upset over Minnesota a few years ago speak to the volatility of a single elimination playoff format in hockey. There is absolutely no way that a team like RIT, as good as they are, could beat Denver in a multiple game series. When you bring it down to one game, it's different. Add in extra TV timeouts to essentially eliminate the bench depth advantage a tournament favorite usually has and the odds of an upset increase dramatically.

Please. That is the most ignorant piece of crap that anyone could post. There are only 16 teams in the tourney and DU was one of them. Yes they lost, yes the seniors did not play well but a coach can only do so much. It is ultimately up to the players to motivate themselves and produce. DU is lucky to have Gwoz and to even think that his job would be in danger is stupid.

The problem is that success (back to back National Championships) can breed failure (USA Hockey Devo. team players who went the sh@$ hits the fan start to play like individuals instead of as teammates which is what got them on the USA Hockey Devo team in the first place).

Look at the teams that won - with the exception of Carle, you had a bunch of lunch bucket guys who played their ass off for one another. Grinders, muckers. DU has become a finess team. Look at UND. They would much rather knock the snot out of you and take a penalty than to make a fancy move or blind pass.

DU has some kids in the pipeline that are reminiscent of the type of player that had when they won it all. The program will get back on track.

RIT fan here. Just wanted to thank DU for the way they've treated us on other boards. I understand how you must feel... watching the game it was painfully obvious how big the difference in talent was. That said I just wanted to say that you DU fans shouldn't feel like the sky is falling. We are a good hockey team. We are a proud hockey team. We've beaten big teams before including Minnesota at their own tournament, Cornell, and St. Lawrence. We tend to play up when the competition is the best. That doesn't mean we are anywhere near teams like Denver.

We are absolutely no where near Denver in talent. That is clear. But sometimes glass shines brighter than Diamonds.. because glass has more to prove.

Really, something needs to change as to how they approach the game of hockey. There's no heart (as someone said earlier, I just had to say it again because that's exactly what this is). The DU boys play like the most entitled group of whiny girls in the nation. Yeah, they're great players individually, but there is NO team concept, and that is why throughout the season there were numerous defensive breakdowns (especially early in games) and Chevy was hung out to dry and forced to make game-changing saves. Not shocking that eventually all that came back to bite us in the ass.

As far as Gwoz goes, hell, anybody can recruit bluechippers to play at a program like DU because it has that much going for it it sells itself(Magness, beautiful campus, rich hockey history). And he's done that. But there's the whole "coaching" aspect of his title as Head Coach that means you fire up your team when they go into the first intermission down to a team of nobodies. From what I see, there's no passion from his end, either. At this point, it's HIS job to do some soulsearching this offseason and decide how to best approach the upcoming season so that we dont make it 4 in a row of 1 and out. This meltdown at the end of the season is absolutely embarrassing for all of us DU fans. I just wish the boys and Gwoz feel the same way. But i'm not so sure, the future NHL millions and Gwoz's new contract are probably clouding their vision.

Have you been watching DU fail when it comes to big games the last five years?

In what sports world is a coach NOT on the hot seat in this situation?

I'm sick and tired of people saying that this is not related to coaching and it's only on the players. COACHING AFFECTS THE PLAYERS. If a team is well oiled and clicking; they're coached 'well' . If things go wrong with the team it's suddenly bad player leadership. BULLSHIT.

Gwoz recruits the players, babysits them, and is their mentor. So it isn't a strech to wonder if this lazy, entitled way of playing the last few years is his fault.

We'll see if these talented kids in the pipeline are worth a damn or if they play the same lazy, entitled game when the season is on the line. And if they continue to fail - Gwoz will be gone by 2014.

It's true coaching can have the effect of motivating the players. Its time we get a bunch of recruits who aren't so concerned about developing for a year or two and immediately heading off to the NHL. I want to see more dedication, passion, and gritty play next year.

@feDUp - your post is about the only post that is meaningful here. I'm a passionate DU fan and season ticketholder and I have just gone from fan to PISSED off!

This team has spent too much time this past month reading all their press clippings and printing off copies of the USCHO Poll showing them as #1. Except for the game when Chevy got hurt, I never saw this team truly gel as a team. Just a bunch of talented individuals who happened to be able to string together enough good playing minutes to keep anyone from beating them.

Their offense and their defense was absolutely horrible during the tournaments and the last few games of the season. I have nothing bad to say about Chevy. That guy stood on his head and made more saves than he should have had to in order to keep DU in games. Too many defensive turnovers in their own zone as well as failing to get the puck out of their own zone was a huge problem.

Next year, I vote that Gwoz sits anybody drafted by the NHL and lets those with real hearts play!

"I think any DU fan honest with themselves could see something like this being possible.."

Absolutely. This team peaked way too early. Honestly, I believe the decline began just after they won the Denver Cup over BC. From that point on things changed - less team play, more individuals trying to do it all themselves. Perhaps they thought that after beating a great program/team like BC that they could put it on cruise control for the remainder of the season and then flip the switch in the post-season. Doesn't work that way.

I remember Caldwell and how he challenged (perhaps threatened is a better word :) his teammates to get it together when they hit a slump on the way to the Championship. Didn't see the intensity level anywhere near what those teams had.

Further, the defense really fell apart at the end of the season and defense wins championships. The first goal that RIT scored today was a lousy clearning attempt (Brookwell - bank it off the upper part of the glass don't just whip around the bottom of the dashers - they teach you that in PeeWee's for crying out loud) but it was indicative of the way that the defense has played as of late. Scared. A bit of forechecking pressure and they fall apart. Lee looks completely lost out there yet he is always on the ice in key situations. Donovan wants to channel Bobby Orr a few too many times.

Joe is definitely long gone and maybe Patrick too. Its a shame to see that college hockey is becoming a one year, maybe two year minor league and then players just don't care. Too much like NCAA basketball or football now a days.

funny comment by achsdu17 below - "3 years in a row and they go 1 and done..." - ONE AND DONE MEANS YOU WON ONE!!!! Denver didn't win ONE this year - so this isn't even ONE AND DONE. and Miami destroyed you last year. Ha ha DU!!!!

You obviously did not follow DU hockey during the lean years (oh, from the time that Coach A retired until Gwoz arrived at DU).

You have obviously never played ice hockey at the D1 level. Your coach is not your "mentor". He is someone you fear and respect. He is not your buddy, he is not your friend. He is somenone who's good side you want to get on if you want playing time.

If a team is well oiled and clicking; they're coached 'well' . If things go wrong with the team it's suddenly bad player leadership. BULLSHIT."

Interesting theory. So if the team plays poorly it is entirely the fault of the coach. So where does the responsibility of the player/team fit into this scenario? Where does leadership of the captain come into play. I guess that it doesn't because if the team wins the coach was "lucky" and if the team loses the coach "sucks".

There are many of us CC fans that appreciate the kindness you DU fans show us by reminding us about our last win in 57. This way we do not have to busy ourselves in remembering such things. We have you galuts around to remember for us. We do appreciate the fact that you are able to remember two numbers at the same time. It simply amuses us.. Thank you!

I'm stunned. Damien, thank you for all your amazing efforts this year with this blog, and the Boone movement. I bet Jimbo the Angel is not happy up there tonightMaybe next season I'll register here and not be Anonymous finally. DU fans are the best. Lots to be proud of!Everyone be safe out there.......talk to you in October

I've been a DU fan since 93 (I was only 13) so I do only remember so much. Wow .. you really got me there.

So, obviously, you're an old fart whos bitter about SOMETHING here ... not sure what since you don't even seem to be a DU fan.

What does the point of whether or not I play D1 hockey matter? Theres proably 2 people who read this all the time who have. So, is everyone's opinion invalid then because they didn't play big time division one hockey? Stupid.

All coaches should be people that you fear? That's why the Rockies fired Clint Hurdle in favor of a more "mentorlike" option in Jim Tracy. Yes, this is a pro sports example but it applies.

That wasn't a "theory" but more a generalization about how the public reacts towards a sports team depending on whether or not their team is doing well. Surely you've noticed this over your years. Its obviously not a reflection of reality. Sorry that went over your head, old man.

Anyway - I fail to understand your <3 of the Gwoz, what has he done for you lately? I personally have begun to agree with the UND perception of "Maybeline" when it comes to our pompous little coach.

He can change my mind still. Gwoz has the power. All we can do is make noise with our fingers on the internet.

Don’t get me wrong here, I’m a DU fan and I’m bitterly disappointed in today’s loss, but it’s no wonder Adam Murray wants to transfer to Anchorage because he feels like he “lacks the support of the Denver fan base.” There are so many DU fans out there that are fickle. You love the team and the players when they are hot, then you hate everybody when they have a few ugly losses. If you call yourselves fans, you should support the team and players even in the bad times, not rally to fire the coach. It isn’t Gwoz’s fault that some of the players lacked the drive and determination to succeed.

For the record - I must say that I DON'T want Gwoz fired. That is not what I am trying to state here. Gwoz is a very good coach and has done wonders for not only our hockey program but the entire DU Athletic program in general.

Being on the hot seat and demanding a firing are two VERY different things in my book.

I'm just shocked that there aren't more DU fans out there who aren't concerned about the directon of the program.

Fire Gwoz? You must be joking. Criticize the program? You haven't been paying attention. When I pitch DU at college fairs and tell parents that the hockey team's graduation rate is higher than the university's, they're impressed. 19 players on the WCHA all-academic list. Because of academics, the DU recruiting pool is much smaller than the big state schools. And they still manage to win, year in and year out. What happened the last 3 games? Who knows? No one wants a disappointing finish. But come on, it's been a fun ride this year and it'll be fun next year.

"Anyway - I fail to understand your <3 of the Gwoz, what has he done for you lately? I personally have begun to agree with the UND perception of "Maybeline" when it comes to our pompous little coach.

He can change my mind still. Gwoz has the power. All we can do is make noise with our fingers on the internet."

then he takes his medication and...

"For the record - I must say that I DON'T want Gwoz fired. That is not what I am trying to state here. Gwoz is a very good coach and has done wonders for not only our hockey program but the entire DU Athletic program in general.

Being on the hot seat and demanding a firing are two VERY different things in my book.

I'm just shocked that there aren't more DU fans out there who aren't concerned about the directon of the program."

Tell you what Sybil. I will "crawl out of Gwoz's ass and see the daylight [?] when you pull your head out of your own ass and stop whining like a little bitch.

You guys and your fuckin bucket list. I guess another one and done. Sounds like your pesonal life. NICE TEIM! Oh I thought there wasn't an I in team. Your coach sucks. Even if you have the commissioner of the WCHA in your pockets and every where else, you still can't win. To bad you wasted NCAA money showing up in St. Paul and Albany, thanks for a great show. Have a nice off season.

Did some anon say that you douche bags won the Broadmoor Trophy??? Well he didn't even spell it right - he must have gone to DU! Also - why are you upset - you got pissed on by Tigers - it happens all the time...

Well anon@ 8:40 I admit there are zero Hobey finalists from Rochester...you got us there. Now I have a question for you....How many tourney wins do the Pios have the last three years? Oh that's right the same number of Hobeys from Rochester. hehe DU SUCKS!

Is it just me or have we been one and done since Seth left? Seems like we need some new blood in the coaching department. If things stay the way they have since he has left and the administration does not take a hard look and start asking some questions we will have the same fate next year, if we even make it to the playoffs next year.

Just as I suspected, a no show in the big tournament. Well there's always next year. Michigan Tech will be knockin' on your door. This is what happens when the goal judge doesn't turn on the light before goals are scored!!

Dude, the average ACT score at Michigan Tech is 26, not quite sure what DU's is (???). It's just sad that DU fans have given up on their team and coach for the future. Most teams could only hope to have as talented of players and as good of coach. Look at March Madness, great teams, great coaches have gone home. It's called parity my friends.

RIT played a good game and they deserve credit where credit is due. They played the game they needed to play in order to win and their goalie played exceptionally well. DU did not get the bounces and ran out of time, and that is the way hockey is sometimes. Regardless of the end result, they had a successful season and hopefully the returning players can use this as motivation next year.

As for the fans of other teams who showed up to rub salt in our wounds, your team has not won this tournament yet either. Pride cometh before the fall.

Our Great Expectations for the 2009-2010 DU Hockey season ended today.And I'm sad and disappointed, but surely not as disappointed as 27 student/athletes and the coaches and staff.

And I'm really disappointed in some pseudo DU fans and the venom they spewed about our team and coach. Yes, some of those venomous anonymous comments came from other teams fanatics, but these were mean spirited attacks on young men, our boys, The same boys we've cheered for whenever they took the ice wearing the Crimson and Gold.

At times we've criticized them for what we believed was a lack of focus or effort, for not playing 60 minutes of their best hockey, for coming out flat. But how many times did Chevy, Rakhshani, Colborne, Ruegsegger, the 2nd line or the 3rd line or Weircioch or Donovan or an unheralded player pick up the team with a timely goal or save or hit which put the Pioneers on the way to victory. We praised their grit and character. Now some are questioning these very attributes.

DU fans and supporters were called smug and elitists. Well maybe we were or are. But I tend to think we are proud of our University and our team.

We are proud of :60 years of DU Hockey historyThe Pioneers' 27 wins this season inluding 6 shutouts19 WCHA All Academic Team selections8 WCHA Scholar Athletes2 Hobey Baker Award Finalists6 selections to the All WCHA TeamsWCHA Player of the Year AwardWCHA Coach of the YearWCHA Goaltending ChampionWCHA Scoring Champion2 CHN All Americans1 CHN All Rookie Team Selection2 College Hockey 247 All AmericansCHN Team of the WeekNational Player of the Month2 National Player of the Week9 WCHA Red Baron Player of the Week4 Seniors who have completed graduation requirements Finalist for Lowe's Senior CLASS AwardFinalist for Hockey Humanitarian AwardWorld Juniors Gold Medal winnerOlympic Silver medal winner4 NHL regulars from DU14 players drafted by the NHL10 game winning streakSweeping UND 4-0 in the regular seasonSweeping Minnesota 4-0 in the regular seasonWinning the MacNaughton CupWinning the Gold Pan TrophyWinning the Denver CupBeing ranked # 1 or 2 in the polls for basically the whole seasonBeing # 1 or 2 in the PairwiseGetting a # 1 seed in the NCAAs7 NCAA Hockey Championships

Yes, I am disappointed we didn't win the game, but take nothing away from RIT they played hard and blocked the scoring lanes effectively. Their goalie made save after save. They won. Congratulations to RIT

Questioning the direction of the last few years hardly classifies anyone as a so-called "pseudo fan". Complacency in the direction of a program leads to situations as awful as CU football. As supporters of the DU athletic program, we have a responsibility to question and critique what goes on; even if these suggestions happen to go against the grain of the majority.

We demand championships here in Denver. The list of various gloating options is nice to read and all, but it all means nothing without the sweetness of the 2010 championship trophy.

How is it that a team cannot get up for a NCAA tournament game? Did something happen on the team that no one is talking about, e.g., dissention of some sort? Looks like that to me. No passion, no drive, and a coach who looked like a casual observer on the bench.

The first line played so much that they were dragging themselves up the ice. Gwoz has done great things for this program, but it seems like he's lost his fire after being chastised for his behavior at Grand Forks a few years ago. There are players on the team who have the drive, but they ride the pines watching the first line chug up and down the ice. What gives?

Great post, sure we are all disappointed in the final outcome of the season but this fan is not off of the bandwagon. This team and this group of seniors have a lot to be proud of. This senior class has left their imprint on DU hockey history. Rock and Ruegs made an immediate impact both on and off the ice the minute they stepped on the campus. Vossberg, Brookwell, Gifford and Glasser all contributed to the team's success the 4 years they were here. The only piece of hardware this senior class did not win was the national title. Not many players, as Rock and Ruegs did, would put off pro careers to pursue their final chance at the national title. Kudos to the entire team, Gwoz and his staff for a great year.

Doesn't anybody have any conference pride anymore? I'm a sioux fan and its very disappointing to me that you guys lost. I don't believe that we should ever cheer against our conference in non-conference play. Part of me is glad your done just because you have a great team and i didn't wanna have to play you again. Yeah its fun sometimes to give your rivals a hard time about its failures (HOLY CROSS). but its just discusting to me to see all these sioux fans rush to this blog to give you a hard time as is seeing the DU fans saying Go Yale. Maybe I'm just in my own world and am the only one that feels this way. But ive stood right along gopher fans who were cheering on the sioux over BC in 2000 and i returned the favor in 02 and 03 as hard as that was (even participated in the rouser). Cheered for DU in 04. I just think its kinda sad how people hate the other WCHA teams so bad that they would rather cheer for Yale, RIT, BC, Maine, UNH, Vermont than their Final Five drinking buddies

Good post Tom. Personally, I always pull for all the WCHA teams in the tourney (except the Rodents, some things are just too unpalatable) especially after DU exits..which is our M.O. of late. I can even swallow hard and root for CC when needed... anyone but those Eastern prep-boy pansies.

This was a magnificent season of entertainng hockey with a team that won a couple of important titles - the toughest trophy in college sports (MacNsughton Cup as WCHA Champion) and restored the Gold Pan when the last five DU teams couldn't. Add in the 19 all academic selections, and the individual honors and it as a season of triumph and accomplishment that we have not seen since 2005.

Sure, the ending sucked - there is no sugar coating that. The team did not get the level of performance you'd expect from a league champ. They will take to their graves. No excuses.

Alright - THAT'S IT! How many more days until our October exhibition home opener? Bring it on, Alberta!! Good luck getting any pucks past our #1 goalie, Paulgaard. We're going to whoop you Mother ZUCKERs!

Whoever asked about how many more days until the exhibition opener vs. Alberta - my unofficial estimate is 190 days. Plenty of time to send off the Seniors, wash the jerseys, take off the collars and leashes of the ones that want to run off, get the youngin's settled in, and put a team together....

I think it's pretty s*$!$@ to bash your own players. From what I saw after the game, devastation was evident on their faces. Maybe some don't care quite as much as others and have other things on their mind. That's the case on any team, be it high school, college, pros, etc. But they all cared. For God's sake, they're in college. I'm from TN and while I've had my moments of making fun of the men's basketball team, because yes, they've had a history of choking in the Sweet 16, I'll be cheering them on and wanting them to win. Seems as though a lot of you so-called "fans" were literally just waiting for the opportunity to put them down, and not via constructive criticism, which would have been fine. Don't bother buying tickets next year, really.

I played several sports up through high school, and yes, bad games are inevitable. It's unfortunate they came now, but it just happens. Sometimes nobody can get a team fired up, not even the team themselves. That's not due to any player's lack of heart either. So yes, while I'm disappointed, I'll be supporting them next year too. Thank you, Damien, for providing this outlet and I am extremely confused as to why some commenters think you're smug or stuck-up. Since I have no real affiliation with DU, I can say this unbiased, and that's that you seem to simply be a devoted fan to your school of choice. Nothing more, nothing less. You were representing and isn't that what support is all about?

Well, I hope everyone has had time to reflect on a sad day in Pio hockey and hope for the best next year. They will be loaded with young talent again next year. Don't lose sight of the good hockey this year.

Member, University of Denver Alumni Admissions Council (volunteer to rep DU at college nights. Pariticpate in Hyde Interviews.

BIO - Timothy Wurtz has spent more than 25 years writing and producing feature films and TV movies. A former reporter, Tim grew up living in London, England, Ankara, Turkey and Munich, Germany. His dad worked for the U.S. government. He earned a BA in International Studies from the University of Denver.

As a writer-producer, he uses his knowledge of journalism to acquire the rights to true stories. Tim has written numerous TV projects including true stories Monkey Boys, Red Star Murders and the Lacy Brown Pilot.

Tim's feature-film work includes projects for studios in the U.S., Canada and Germany. He has now moved into the arena of independent features with A Clean Kill and the award-winning Hungry Hearts. His latest producing effort is the award-winning documentary "BRATS: Our Journey Home" - the first documentary about growing up military, narrated by Kris Kristofferson.

As an advocate of the essential, seminal role of the writer and writing in the film and TV industries, Tim founded the Writers Guild of America's Media Relations Committee. His knowledge of media and publicity, and the work of the committee, has resulted in a number of highly successful WGA programs and events that have taken the coverage of film and TV writers from virtually nothing in 1988 to commonplace today.

Day 2 of the NCAAs revealed an RIT team that made UNH look silly, and the DU loss look a lot better, since DU at least got 40 shots (many of them Grade A( and dominated the second 30 minutes on Friday.

North Dakota going down to Yale is also a surprise, and tells you just how tough it is when you get to the final 16...

I personally want to thank the players and coaches for an exciting season. No, the season didn't end the way anyone in these parts wanted it to - but, it was still an exciting and entertaining season none the less.

To those that question the heart and passion of anyone on this team - STUFF IT! The fact that there were tempting opportunities available to some players and they returned to play their final season - says so much about their character, passion and committment for DU Hockey. Crimson runs through their veins and Gold is in their hearts (ok - that was a bit sappy - but true none the less). As for the team as a whole - unless you are in that locker room - you can't know how personally a player takes that loss. I personally am proud of how this team and program represents this school and city. It is the great teams that everyone wants to beat.

I also will take a coach with such a HIGH standard and moral integrity any day! Remember the National Championship and the fact that he benched a senior, "A" Captain, and the player that scored the game winning goal to put them into the National Championship? That was tough to comprehend at the time - but I applaud the Gwaz! We could have been like other teams that that dropped a player because of a DUI, wait for the heat to cool off a little and them bring them back to finish the season. Coach Gwaz is truly a man of integrity!

For those of you that are calling me the Kool-aid drinker right now - Your WRONG! I am appreciative of the gift of sport. The fact that David can beat Goliath any given day is a beautiful thing. A sport that is played by humans fraut with human error and yet on some days we get to enjoy the spoils of the war. I'm not a DU grad - but, I am a fan through the good times and bad.

To Rhett, Tyler, Brandon, Brian, Cody, and Matt - thank you for giving four years of your life to entertain us and watching your growth as men.

To the returning players - live and learn from the experiences this past year and bring it to the ice next year.

To Coach Gwaz - can't wait to see what you bring to the ice next season.

To Damian - thank you for an incredible blog that allows so many to share their opinions (ignorant as they may be - including my own).

To my fellow fans - I can't wait for the puck to drop -- it's going to be a LONG summer!

parlaw5 had a great post. I mean really - how'd you like to live in the U.P. and shell out good money to watch the Huskies each week? We have it pretty dang good here for 6 months. Sure it's disappointing - but It wasn't disappointing in November; or New Years, or Halloween. I can't think of a better place to live and spend money for tickets watching some top-notch hockey.

You are spot on (anonymous), I spent a lot of money going to Michigan Tech games over the years and seeing them turn in losing seasons. I kind of like the hockey here. We should feel lucky to have such a good program in Denver.

And, I will accept the goal judging position for next year. I've got 20/20. I will ring up every goal DU scores next season. Looking forward to it.

You're spot on (anonymous), I spent a lot money seeing a losing team(Michigan Tech) come out on the losing end of the stick over my 4 years. I did however get to see Brent Peterson(drafted by The Lighting) and Liam Garvey(drafted by the Islanders) and got to hang out with them in Law class. And my buddy in marketing class is now the assistant hockey coach at MTU. We are very lucky to see such good hockey over the past year from DU. Wait until next year!!

And about the goal judging job, I will have to interview with the athletic department on that one. I will keep everyone posted. I've got 20/20. I am looking forward to ringing up every goal DU scores next year.